Chaaler Paayesh - Kheer - Rice pudding

Who does not like Chaaler payesh or Chawal ka kheer? It is one of the most sought after Indian dessert and it goes well in any occasion. As a kid I used to love my mom's paayesh more than anything in this whole world. I love it equally even today. But the calorie conscious me does not allow me to show my fondness towards it. Yeah that's a sad story. But for you all sweet lovers, here is how you can please your self with this blissful dessert.
The bengali chaler paayesh is made using Gobindhobhog rice which has short grains and is rich with a beautiful pleasing aroma. In my recipe I used sweetened condensed milk which makes it more creamy.

Ingredients:

• Whole milk                                          - 2 Liters
• Rice                                                        - 4 Tbsp(Preferably Gobindhobhog)
• Sweetened Condensed milk         - 1 can(14 Oz)
• Ghee                                                     - 2 tsp
• Bay leaf                                                - 1
• Green Cardamoms                          - 4
• Raisins                                                 - 2 Tbsp
• Cashews                                              - 1/2 cup
• Pistachios/Almonds                        - For garnishing

Method:
1. Wash the rice and then soak in water for around 20 minutes.
2. Remove the rice from water, add ghee and mix well. Keep the rice aside.
3. In a heavy bottomed pan add milk and bring it to boil. Add bay leaf. Keep cooking the milk on medium low flame, stirring continuously till it reduces to 2/3rd.
4. Split the cashews and add in the milk. Add the raisins as well.
5. Add rice and cook till rice is almost done.
6. Add condensed milk. (You can also add sugar instead of condensed milk, around half a cup or so).
7. Crush the green cardamoms into fine powder and add. 
8. Cook till rice is fully cooked and the mix reduces to half the amount.
9. Serve hot or chilled. Garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds.